Somthing 'fun' for around $12k?

[frosty-11]

Hello all,

Owing to various reasons Im now selling my 350z and moving to a car budget of 10-12k for the next year or so ....(sadly )


So far I have I have found only 2 cars that really think will fit:

• 99 Subaru Imprezza AWD (non sti)
• 2003 Ford Focus ST170

But I was wondering if anyone has any other 'fun' cars for around this kind of money? I would prefer rwd/awd but (as you can see from the above) fwd wouldnt be out the question. A 2+2 or 4 door would be better... but Im not set to much at this point.... so having spent far too much time on carsales and redbook I was wondering what some fellow members thoughts turn too?


P.S. If only 94> Celica GT4's wernt 2-3 times the price of the same UK car!!

Cheers all,
Gareth

[sensible]

I think you can get an early s14 200sx for that kind of money

Just over 200hp rear wheel drive lots of fun and taught me alot about driving when I had one 10 years ago

I should get another one

[Colonial]

Out of those, ST170

[deviant]

Nissan Silvia / 200SX / 180SX etc should be in that budget as should some Skylines. Just watch out for dodgy mods done by poor teenagers.

As this is PH the obvious answer is MX5 if you can do with only 2 seats.

You might find a ropey SS for that sort of money if you want to barge around.

[Google [bot]]

As above Silvias, also:
WRX
Toyota Supra
MR2 Turbo / MX5 if you can cope with 2 seats
E36 325i
300ZX
AU XR8
Audi A4 Quattro

Unless you're dead against FWD you're not far off an Integra Type-R or you'd get a good Prelude VTI-R. MkIV Golf GTI Turbo? Citroen C2 VTS? Volvo 850R?

A lot of the suggestions you're going to have to look well to find a non thrashed example, but they'd be out there.

If we start looking at semi-classics, how about a Porsche 944 or if you have balls of steel a 928. Lets go silly and say Maserati Biturbo. Z28 Camaro?

Much as I hate the H word, you could get a comparatively new Hyundai Tiburon with the V6.

If it were my money I'd spend $3k on a Toyota Vienta. Best. Car. Ever.

[Della]

I was just pondering the same question.
In fact, I'm off to test drive a 1997 Nissan Skyline R33 phase 2 GTS-T this afternoon. 2+2 coupe, manual, 245BHP @ 6400rpm, rear wheel drive, fresh import and totally standard (for now at least )

I'm selling a Silvia (non-turbo model though). Great fun to drive and great handling but there are a lot of young lads winding the turbo'd ones up to stupid boost pressures and drifting them on a budget so buy with caution.

[deviant]

Let us know how you go with the Skyrice Della. I have always had an eye on these as being a bit of a fun barge. Very common now so there is lots of choice and there are still some nice standard ones out there.

[tim the pool man]

After talking about it and putting it off I've just listed the Monaro for sale...

Going to put some of the $ into the business, get the Motorbike I've always wanted, and buy a car around the $15K mark.

At this stage it will probably be something sensible and boring for a while ( I'm on 12month "good behaviour" to retain my licence, any points in 12 months and it's 6 month ban It's a new system when you acrue 12 points, no more Extraordinary licences)

Thinking maybe a 6cyl VZ Calais or similar to waft in

[Della]

Just bought the skyline (or paid a deposit anyway).
Have a look here http://www.dcimports.com.au/ It's the one on the top of the list. 1997 phase 2 R33 with 89000km on the clock, totally standard for $13290. Had a drive today and it felt pretty tight.
3 month warranty from the garage and I'll be the 1st owner in Australia.

Anyone want a 1992 Nissan Silvia S13 in black? SR20DE motor (the non-turbo one).

[frosty-11]

Thanks all for the great suggestions (though please add anything you think maybe missing !)

I have lots to think about / line up now then! I used to have 94 MR2 Turbo.... and pretty much you can only get the <93 / rev2 versions in Oz (and not the later much revised versions).

The Z28 sounds like a good hoot... as does a Supra. mhmmmm.... as do R33's!! tooo much to think about... and still need to sell the 350 first of course!

Thanks again all,
Gareth

[james t]

You can get yourself in to some pretty decent driver's cars for that sort of money.

If you don't mind going for something a bit older, you might pick up a series 4 or 5 RX-7 (turbo, of course) which would be a bit of fun. I'd be looking at selling my car and getting in to something like that if it weren't for the fact that I'm a 20 yo p-plater.

[frosty-11]

hmm a rexxy - sounds good.

That said I just had a silver Celica GT4 (ST205)..... and now Im having thoughts about just paying way to much money for one of those..... square 1

[ajg31]

tim the pool man said:

At this stage it will probably be something sensible and boring for a while ( I'm on 12month "good behaviour" to retain my licence, any points in 12 months and it's 6 month ban It's a new system when you acrue 12 points, no more Extraordinary licences)

Hey Tim. So you think you will keep you licence with a BIKE? lol... Thought the 1 point back thing lasted 24 months?

I always liked the Nissan 200's too if you could pick up an unmolested one (asking alot i know)

[RN318]

Definitely consider a nice 180sx.

I'm planning to buy one when my S50B32 M3 motor sells and use it as a street/circuit car.
They are really fun cars for the money.